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About this project

There are 7 billion people on this planet today. No two people share the same DNA — we are all unique. However, between any two humans, the amount of genetic variation is only about 0.4 percent. This means between any two individuals, the average length of their DNA strand uncoiled is about six feet long. They genetically differ by only 0.0072 inches—or about the width of 3 human hairs. These similarities within our DNA define us as a species, provide the common bond we share with the rest of the natural world, and show how we are far more alike than different. DNA on a SHIRT displays our profound interconnectedness with life on earth through visually-stunning, organic clothing depicting your very own DNA fingerprint. We can also do one for a pet, or a loved one.

THE STORY BEHIND DNA ON A SHIRT

While engaging in genetics coursework in preparation for medical school, Darrin Grandmason became fascinated with DNA. As an artist with access to genomics lab equipment, Darrin decided to utilize his creative insight with the help of his dog, PD. He swabbed PD’s cheek, returned the swab back to the lab, and ran the dog’s DNA finger-prints. Next, he produced the print in black and white (PD was black and white), enlarged it to a poster size, and hung the poster over the couch in his living room. To Darrin’s astonishment, PD’s print became a focal point of conversation—everybody was talking about it.

Darrin began receiving requests for more DNA projects from friends who found the art and science combo very interesting. This lead Darrin to the create DNA Artistry and later, In Our Genes: the first charitable, organic clothing company to display the known genetic fingerprints of our planet’s top 20 most challenging diseases. By putting a genetic face on disease, In Our Genes provides wearable art with the mission to save lives. IOG has active partnerships with the Translational Genomics Research Institute or TGen, EmpowHER, and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA,) with many more partnerships pending. People now buy Darrin’s shirts featuring genetic markers for diseases such as breast cancer, heart disease, and ovarian cancer, HIV, with over 17 more conditions planned. Interviews with Newsweek and other major news syndicates dubbed Darrin as the founding father of the category, “genetic art.”

Customers of In Our Genes kept asking whether they could display their own DNA on their clothes. Could they get the DNA of their family members or loves ones? Or better yet, how about showing off the genetic code of their family pets? Through customer demand, Darrin responded to these requests, and DNA on a Shirt was synthesized.

HOW IT LOOKS

Your DNA fingerprint is rendered and color burned onto a 100% organic-cotton shirt made in the U.S.A. in a variety of limited proprietary color combinations. Each color combination is from a unique dye lot. Your DNA image will be color burned into the fabric of the signature shirt with biomemetic ink (patent pending process) that will mimic real DNA’s natural ability to glow under UV light. Each shirt will be signed with the artist’s own DNA print on a tag affixed at the bottom-right hem line of signature shirt.

HOW IT WILL WORK

Getting your DNA on a SHIRT is simple. First, Pledge at the $50.00 mark or higher. You will be assigned a code and then visit our website to place your order. Select your shirt size and color combination, and complete your order with a viable credit card, PayPal or Google account Shipping is not included. Upon receipt of your order, you will be mailed a buccal-cheek swab to collect your sample. Swab your cheek (it’s painless and easy) and send the swab back in the pre-paid envelope. Darrin will receive your sample and personally run and artistically-render your DNA fingerprint in his studio-lab in Phoenix, AZ. Within 4-6 weeks, you will receive your very own DNA fingerprint on a shirt.

Note: DNA samples are confidential and for artistic purposes only. The DNA fingerprints have NO medical or legal value. All samples destroyed after processing.

WHY SHOULD YOU PLEDGE DNA ON A SHIRT?

With DNA Artistry and In Our Genes, Darrin successfully brought more attention to the importance of genetic research in fighting disease. By getting your DNA on a SHIRT, you are promoting science, communication, and understanding between human beings. This shirt will be an amazing conversation generator.

“When you wear this shirt, this art…you are a part of it,” says Darrin. “You are the sum of your parts, and all of your parts are built according to our DNA. We share genes with every living thing on this planet. We have such an amazing abundance of life on this world, all different, yet inherently nearly the same. What appears as major differences are only minor variances. My goal in bringing this affordable and wearable personalized genetic art to the world is simple. To connect us, to bring us together, to help us understand the bigger picture each of us uniquely plays in this world.”

Plus, we need equipment. This raise will help us secure additional equipment and help us with a pending retail contract.

NATIONAL ART SHOW

All Kickstarter contributors who pledge $50 or more will be invited to participate in our National Art Show tour. This special event will showcase genetic art featuring your very own DNA fingerprint (with your permission) in top galleries around the nation.

Question: "When does the Narwhal Bacon?"

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Rewards

You selected

$5 reward

5 backers

You’re a contributor! Besides basking in the positive karma you’ll feel from supporting science and the arts, you will receive a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured as a contributor on our website. Added bonus: You will receive a thank you post card with a mystery DNA fingerprint from my show a stranger’s DNA. (Sample source will be revealed after our raise) It could be a D list actress or a DNA sample I ran from gum stuck to my shoe from Sydney Australia or from a thief that cleaned out my friends house but left behind his crystal meth pipe or from an IRAQ bomb victim.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$15 reward

9 backers

DNA on a Shirt logo pack! You will receive a custom-printed “DNA on a Shirt” logo t-shirt and you will receive a thank you post card with a mystery DNA fingerprint(see above discription). Sample source will be revealed after our raise, plus a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured as a contributor on our website. You will really be feeling the warm karma at this level.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$50 reward

30 backers

Get your limited edition early adopter DNA on a Shirt! We send you the cheek-swab, you send it back, and you’ll get a shirt with your very own DNA finger-print! Plus, you’ll be a part of our national art show (anonymously, we will just showcase your print, not your ID,) you’ll get a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured as a contributor on our website. The Karma you will be feeling is hot at this level. Hot Karma is good Karma.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$75 reward

27 backers

Get your limited edition early adopter DNA on a Shirt, and a digital jpeg copy of your DNA fingerprint for your own personalized printing needs (think Christmas cards and coffee cups.) Plus, you’ll be a part of our national art show (anonymously, we will just showcase your print, not your ID,) a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured as a contributor on our website. Can you feel that? It’s called white-hot karma. You have it.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$100 reward

10 backers

DNA on a Shirt for two! You get a limited edition early adopter of your DNA finger-prints of you and a loved-one together on the same shirt! ! Plus, you’ll receive digital copes of your DNA fingerprints for your own personalized printing needs (think Christmas cards and coffee cups,) be a part of our national art show (anonymously, we will just showcase your print, not your ID,) a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and be featured as a contributor on our website. Karma level overload. How do you walk with that much Karma in your system?

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$250 reward

1 backer

Congratulations—you won! You get 2 DNA finger-prints on 2 separate shirts, digital copies of your DNA finger-prints for your own personalized printing needs (think Christmas cards and coffee cups,) you’ll be a part of our national art show (anonymously, we will just showcase your print, not your ID,) a personalized social media shout-out on Facebook and Twitter, and you will be honored as a top contributor on our website. Karma level over-dose: this will counter-act everything you did in college.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

You selected

$5,000 reward

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

S**t just got real! You will get your very own clone. Yes, that’s right—your paranoia was spot on. We will clone you. Actually we wanted to post a $500 million reward but, Kickstarter's programmers set some limits. If you do pledge $5 Grand I will do a special art installation just for you. Contact me to discuss.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

Funding period

Apr 2, 2012 - May 2, 2012
(30 days)

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